San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-14

kneit by her side, As he listened 10 ner
clear sweet voice, "a sense OF his own
unworthiness came over him and smote
him with keen pain. Could this pure
tender girl ever love or care for himg
So the Captain tormented himself.
Each morning when he rose he said TO
himself that before night he would
know his fate; and yet, when time and
opportunity favored him, the words re-
manned unsaid.
He could not tell whether she loved
him. She was always shy and sensitive.
He could not remember that she had
ever uttered a single word that was
what he called encouraging. He did
not know that in the little box that held
all her girlish treasures, wrapped in
many folds of tissue-paper, lay the
spray of hawthorn that he had given
her. lie did not see her give TO that
night and morning what she had re-
fused, even in play, TO give o him.
He loved her the better for her reserve.
OF all charms, better than beauty, far
above grace, talents, accomplishments
he priced the modest retiring grace that
distinguished May Brooke. He knew
that, If she once said that she loved him,
she would be true to him until death.
He was daily visitor at Woodbine
Cottage, where Miss Brooke, Mays
aunt, resided. He had some pretext or
other for calling constantly. Miss
Brooke was great invalid; she had
been ailing for many years, and there
were some days when she suffered great
pain and required constant attention.
One such day came in the hot month OF
July. From sunrise to sunset she had
been in one long agony, and May had
thnI nYN1 Cd hnt. \ xxr.u of
last, the cruel pain had worn itself out,
and the poor lady longed to be alone
and at rest. All that hot day, when the
flowers had been parched with thirst,
May had spent in the sick-room; and
now, when the cool evening breeze was
bringing relief, Miss Brooke told her to
go out into the garden to refresh her
self.
II shall not want you," said the in
valid; go, May, and spend an hour or
two out in the open air."
1t so happened that Captain Ruthven,
restless and unable to remain at home,
had come out merely intending to glad
den himself by looking at the house
where she dwelt. He did not hope to
see her, for he knew that her aunt was
i'll: but in the garden he caught
glimpse of her white dress. The temp
tation was too strong for him; he open
ed the gate, and in few seconds was
by her side.
Could he doubt that she loved himp
Had he no eyes to see the warm blush
that colored the fair face, the glad light
that came into the shy sweet eyes?
Could he not see how the girls lips
trembled and quivered as they smiled,
and how her little white hands nervous
ly clasped the flowers that she had been
gathering?
II could not help coming in, Miss
Brooke, when saw YOU he began. Il
hope am not intruding."
Then May told him how her aunt
made her come ont into the fresh air,
because she had been shut up in her
room all day."
Your aunt must he happy to have
you for her nurse. said the Captain. Il
often wonder, if We're Ill or dying, who
would take care of me. 1t is sad thing
to be alone in the world
Are you quite alOnel" she asked.
Yes" he replied sadly. My parents
died when | was very young. ! never
had but one sister, and do not even re.
member her. l have one uncle living
somewhere in Australia. i think. So
that, you see, am indeed solitary
man."
They had reached the garden-seat
placed under the lilac-trees, and there
they sat to rest.
II have felt my loneliness twice in
my life," continued the Captain-'mOre
than shall ever feel it again. The first
time was in my hour of triumph, when
! had won fame and glory, when my
comrades shook me by the hand and
wished me joy; but there was no rela-
tive to share my qualification, no moth
er's face grew bright over my success.
The second was when l lay i'll in the
hospital in India. The doctor came one
day, and l heard him tell one of my
brOther-officers that he did not think
should live. Poor Charleyp said my
friend. i suppose Travers would take
his place Then, do you know, Miss
Brooke, / turned my face to the wall
and wept like child. Who was there
to care whether l lived or died? If l
died, there would be a military funeral;
for few weeks the men would talk
about me; they would give me grave
stone, and on it would say, In af
tionate remembrance" and then Ira
yers would take my place. In whose
heart would my memory live? Who
would shed one tear over my gravep
Those are not pleasant thoughts for any
man."
Nays eyes were filled with tears; and
then, in some broken way, the Captain
asked her to be the one who would love
and care for him, and brighten his life.
He told her how he had learned to love
her, and how he feared to ask her to be
his wife because he felt so unworthy of
her.
The sweet face was half turned from
him, but in the dim evening light he
could see how her cheeks grew pale; he
felt the little hands he clasped SO tight
ly in his own tremble and grow cold.
IF you will only love me, May" he
pleaded, land be my wife, | will give
my life to you. l will make you the
happiest woman in the world. My love
shall shield you from every anxiety.
Can you care for me?"
She was silent for some minutes; then
she turned, and said gently
II do love you, and will be true to
you until l die"
How he thanked herl How his heart
filled with gratitude and love! And
then Captain Ruthven redeemed his
ring twenty times over, and she said
nothing against it!
That evening, when Captain Ruthven
told the Doctor of the treasure that he
had won, his friends calm sensible face
was strangely moved.
II am glad you are happy, Charley"
he said. You have won the best girl
in the world. Take care of her."
He did not cloud the young soldiers
happiness by telling him that he had
won the only girl that he had ever low
ed: and to this day no one knows why